If you’re interested in trademarks but not sure if it’s worth the investment, I’m here to explain the benefits, including explaining how long do trademarks last.
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1. How long do trademarks last?
How long do trademarks last is an important question. In the United States, a trademark can last forever (if you use it forever). That is great news for someone who wants to invest in trademark registration.
A one-time initial investment to register your trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office could give you exclusive rights to your company’s name, logo, slogan, and/or design. No one else can have that exact or similar mark, in any similar category, if you have a registered trademark.
However, a court will not enforce trademark rights if you stop using your trademark. In other words, you cannot squat on a trademark.
You have to actually use the trademark and continue using the trademark if you want to continue to own the trademark.
In the U.S., you retain ownership of a trademark as long as you continue to use the trademark and file the necessary maintenance documents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office every few years.
Foregoing the maintenance documents or foregoing continuous use could allow someone else to take your trademark from you.
Trademarks are the only intellectual property that can last forever. Copyrights and patents expire after a certain period, but trademarks can be owned by one person/company for generations.
Always use your trademark and file the maintenance documents to keep your trademark. The first maintenance documents are due between the fifth and sixth years following registration.
Please see below for more information on trademarks and the benefits of registering your trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.